Oct 18

Job: Purchaser/Assistant Buyer at Korin (NY)

Job posting via Jet alum Tara Hohenberger. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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Job Position: Purchaser/Assistant Buyer

Job Details:
Immediate and exciting opportunity for a purchaser with experience in importing from Asia to assist in buying, shipping and receiving unique product assortment for high volume wholesale/retail operation. Only candidates with strong understanding of retail language and fluency in both spoken and written English and Japanese will be considered. Passion for Japanese cuisine and the culinary industry a huge plus, product assortment includes Japanese knives, kitchen equipment, and tableware lines. As a purchaser you will work closely with our sales team, web team and buyer to facilitate importing Japanese products and grow the business.

Great benefits including health insurance, 401k and profit sharing plan, sick/personal/vacation days, and excellent sales incentive plan.

Job Experience:

  • Minimum three (3) years tabletop, kitchenware or gift purchasing and importing experience.
  • Must have understanding of international trade laws and requirements.
  • Proficiency in MS Office required, experience with NetSuite preferred.
  • Contact:
    Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements to careers at korin dot com.
    Fax to: Attn: Operations, 212-587-7027


    Oct 18

    JETAA Chapter Beat 10.18.10

    Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

    JETAA British Columbia

    • Tea Ceremony Workshop – Sunday, October 24th, 1:00 at the Furemi-an Tea Room in Vancouver. Learn the basics of attending an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony.
    • Career Seminar – Thursday, October 28th, 5:30 at MacMillan Bloedel Room, at the YMCA of Vancouver. Get back into the job market with a little help from JET alumni.

    JETAA Northern California

    • South Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, October 21st, 6:15 at Tied House Brewery in Mountain View. Happy Hour is happening in South Bay, so stop on by for a drink or a chat with friends this Thursday.
    • East Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, October 21st, 6:00 at Ippuku in Berkeley. This month’s event will be held at the new izakaya, Ippuku, featuring a full shochu and sake bar, yakitori and more.

    JETAA Canberra

    • Make Your Own Sushi Session – Monday, October 25th, 6:00 to 9:00 at Coo Izakaya. Learn the ins and outs of proper sushi construction with a Japanese chef.

    JETAA Music City

    • Nihongo Dake Potluck – Monday, October 25th at 7:00. Grab your favorite dish or drink and join in for a fun night of food and friends.
    • Imoni and Curry “Kai” – Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 to 4:00 in Centennial Park Event Shelter. Welcome the fall weather with some hot food and check out Music City JETAA’s imoni and curry party.

    JETAA Western Australia

    • KaiWA – Thursday 21st, 5:30 at 43 Below. Practice Japanese with old friends and some tasty snacks.
    • Careers Seminar – Tuesday, October 26th, 6:00 at UWA Social Sciences Lecture Room. Get a head start on finding a new job at this year’s career seminar. Delegates from CLAIR Tokyo will be in attendance, so do not forget your resume and business cards.

    JETAA Hawaii

    • JET Returner’s Mixer – Saturday, October 23rd, 6:00 at Tsunami. Welcome back the returning JETs in style this weekend and join in for some karaoke afterwards.

    JETAA Portland

    • Career Panel 2010 – Wednesday, November 3rd, 6:00 at the Mark Spencer Hotel. Make connections and get advice on how to find that dream job at this year’s Career Panel. Do not miss this invaluable networking opportunity.

    JETAA Sydney

    • Career and Networking Night – Friday, October 22nd, 6:00 at the Japan Foundation Chifley Plaza in Sydney. Get together with fellow JET alumni and members in the Japanese community and get started on a new career. Recruiters and university representatives will be on hand to lend their advice, so don’t forget your resume.

    JETAA New York

    • Oktoberfest Happy Hour – Wednesday, October 20th, 6:00 at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten. Head down to the Lower East side for some German food, biers and fun this October.
    • Hiking on Bear Mountain – Sunday, October 24th, 9:00 meetup in Manhattan(details TBA). Get out on the mountain for the annual hike in Bear Mountain. Hike up in the morning for lunch at the top, then come back down to feast on beer and sausage at the Oktoberfest held at the mountain’s base.

    JETAA Florida

    • Heart of Florida Asian Festival – Sunday, October 24th, 3:00 at the Historic Thomas Center. Meet up JETAA Florida for a day of Asian-themed fun at this year’s festival, with dinner to follow.

    JETAA D.C.

    • Happy Hour with Asian Going Out Group – Thursday, October 21st, 6:00 at the Modern Lounge. The 20s & 30s Asian Going Out Group is hosting the new young Asian professionals happy hour for anyone wanting to support the Asian community.
    • JBook – Monday, October 25th, 6:30 at Teaism in Penn Quarter. JBook, JETAADC’s own book club, will be meeting this month to discuss Haruki Murakami’s piece, “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.”

    What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


    Oct 18

    Japan to expand JET Programme eligibility to Pacific Island states?

    Thanks to JETAANY President Megan Miller for sharing a recent Kyodo News International article titled Japan, Pacific Island states to boost ties, cooperate on climate which mentioned that Japan has discussed the possibility of opening up the JET Programme to residents of the Pacific Island states:

    “The two sides also agreed to examine the possibility of expanding eligibility for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program to Pacific island states as a way of boosting people-to-people exchanges. The program aimed at improving Japanese students’ foreign language skills has accepted participants from 36 countries.”

    The recent Pacific Islands Forum consisted of Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.


    Oct 18

    The below article appeared in the Summer 2010 Issue of the JLGC Newsletter.

    JET Program, JET Alumni Association Vital to the Future of U.S.-Japan Relations

    by Matthew Gillam, Senior Researcher and Chizuko Kawamura, Assistant Director, Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR-New York)

    JETAA New York hosted the JETAA USA National Conference from August 12 to 15, with 42 representatives from 18 of the 19 US chapters (except Alaska) and the three US Country Representatives participating.

    Since a review of CLAIR’s overseas offices and the JET Program was conducted by the Government Revitalization Unit in May, and support for JETAA was among the activities under administrative review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June and July, this year’s conference was focused much more than usual on explaining the role of the JET Program and JETAA in efforts to improve the English language ability of the Japanese and to promote international exchange in Japan.

    The first main session on this topic took place on the morning of Friday, August 13. Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, the director of the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, explained the position of the Ministry after their recent review. During his talk he emphasized that the Ministry understands the importance of JETAA’s vital role in the US-Japan relationship and will continue supporting the alumni. However, this support will be strictly limited to activities and events which enable former JETs to be diplomatic assets for Japan, or which improve the quality of future JETs. He concluded his remarks with his “Three Cs” for future relations, “Confidence, Caution and Cooperation”, and asked for pragmatism rather than excessive optimism or pessimism in dealing with the current situation. As to CLAIR’s position, Mr. Matthew Gillam explained CLAIR’s current situation and future support for JETAA, saying that the continuing fiscal difficulties facing local governments make it difficult for CLAIR to promise to maintain current funding levels in the coming years. He concluded by saying it is very important that we gain the support of local governments for JETAA activities. These presentations were followed by a lengthy discussion by attendees on ways to address the issues raised in various criticisms of JET and JETAA in Japan.

    The other main session was Read More


    Oct 18

    WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

    Many readers probably caught yesterday’s NYT cover story with the headline “Japan Goes from Dynamic to Disheartened.”   This article (“Coping with Decline”) is the first in a series called The Great Deflation which will “examine the effects on Japanese society of two decades of economic stagnation and declining prices.”   Throughout the article all those quoted mention a “lack of vigor/vitality” (I assume this was a translation of 元気がない (genki ga nai)).  Read More


    Oct 16

    Job: Application Processing Staff Needed in the JET Program Office

    Job posting via JETAADC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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    Job Position: Application Processing Staff Needed in the JET Program Office this Winter

    Job Details:

    Great opportunity especially for new JET returnees who have not found full-time work yet, or other JET alumi whose jobs allow them to work part-time (mornings/afternoons only is possible). Japanese citizens or an FOJ (Friend of JET) living in the DC area, are also welcome to apply.

    Job Period:

  • November 8 2010 through mid-January 2011.
  • Hours are from 9:30am to 5:00pm, with lunch from 1:00-1:30pm.
  • * Even if you can only work the morning shift or the afternoon shift, we might be able to use your help.
    * Individuals who can help full days, Monday-Friday are especially needed!

    Compensation: $70/day

    Requirements:

  • You must be either ineligible to apply to the JET program or not intending to reapply for the program in the near future.
  • We are seeking enthusiastic and professional quick learners with strong organizational skills.
  • You also must be ok sitting for long periods of time and doing repetitive work.
  • * Japanese citizens may apply.

    Click ‘Read more’ for more information and how to apply

    Read More


    Oct 16

    WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

    Last night kicked off Japan Society’s current “Zen and Its Opposite” Monthly Classic Film Series, which features films from the late ’50s to ’60s that showcase the paradoxical unity of zen and violence.  It began with the 1965 film 怪談 (Kwaidan or Kaidan), said to be the most expensive production of its time.  It clocks in at a whopping 161 minutes and although the pacing is slow at certain points, the suspense draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat for most of it.  Kwaidan is comprised of four separate stories, each haunting in its own way.  My favorite was Read More


    Oct 16

    Life After the B.O.E.: Inappropriate Touching

    Life After the B.O.E. is a comic series about the JET experience by David Namisato (Aomori-ken, 2002-2004), a professional illustrator currently living in Toronto.
    Visit David’s website at www.namisato.org.

    Inappropriate Touching


    Oct 15

    Chi-Town Rising: Japan at the 46th Chicago International Film Festival

    Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06) is an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.  “Chi-Town Rising” takes a look at the connections between Japan and Chicago, where Dipika will be moving in the coming year.

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    The 46th Chicago International Film Festival is currently under way, screening 150 films from 50 countries. First held in 1964, the festival founded by Michael Kutza is one of the oldest of its kind in North America. This year the following Japanese films are being showcased, with cultural support provided by The Japan Foundation.

    ABACUS AND SWORD / BUSHI NO KAKEIBO
    Director: Yoshimitsu Morita
    Reimagining the classic samurai picture, this quiet, elegant drama follows the Inoyama family as they serve their lord not with the sword but with the abacus. With a sense of honor as exacting as any warrior’s and a rigorous ethic of honesty even in the midst of dire poverty, Naoyuki Inoyama (nicknamed “the Mad Abacus” by his rivals) distinguishes himself as a hero for the approaching modern age.

    BIG TITS ZOMBIE / KYONYŪ DRAGON
    Director: Takao Nakano
    A campy, raucous crowd-pleaser that is definitely not for the whole family, this 3-D spectacle pits brassy strippers against a horde of the undead, which the ladies unwittingly revive by reading aloud from an ancient tome. They must battle one of their own in addition to the brain eaters when goth stripper Maria hatches her own ambitious plans to become Queen of the Dead.

    CATERPILLAR / KYATAPIRÂ
    Director: Kôji Wakamatsu
    Horribly maimed while fighting on the Japanese front in China during WWII, a Japanese lieutenant returns home a war hero. But his loss of limbs has not made him any less of a brute, especially to his wife. Required to satisfy his every need, she feels her anger quietly boiling over. Based on a short story that was banned for its extreme subject matter, Caterpillar is a howl of rage against blindness to the atrocities of war.

    GOLDEN SLUMBER / GÔRUDEN SURAMBÂ
    Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
    In this seriocomic conspiracy thriller, affable deliveryman Aoyagi unwittingly becomes the prime suspect in a hunt for the assassin of the prime minister. As he runs from the authorities and the news media eats up every scrap of incriminating evidence, Aoyagi finds a little help from his friends, including his college sweetheart and a crazy but cheerful youth who’s wanted for serial murder. Together, this motley crew will help Aoyagi navigate the strangest, scariest 24 hours of his life.

    SWORD OF DESPERATION / HISSHIKEN TORISASHI
    Director: Hideyuki Hirayama
    The expert swordsman Kanemi Sanzaemon is a man of principle, first and foremost. His decisive, violent handling of high-level corruption in the court of the local feudal lord landed him in solitary confinement for two years. He has now been released, with one caveat he cannot comprehend: He must serve as bodyguard to the lord he betrayed. This thrilling, masterfully stylized tale of honor combines classic samurai action with a taut story of intrigue and betrayal.

    The festival runs from October 7th till the 21st. For a complete schedule and more info visit http://chicagofilmfestival.com/ or call 312-332-FILM.


    Oct 15

    Job: Internship at literary agency (NYC)

    Job posting via Jet alum Sharona Moskowitz (Fukuoka, 2000-01). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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    Job Position: Internship at literary agency (NYC)

    Duration: 4-5 hours per week

    Compensation: None

    Job Details:

    We are currently accepting applications for an intern at a boutique literary agency. A number of former JETs have interned here and benefited highly from the experience. The position is unpaid, but the experience gained is invaluable. We are hoping to fill the position ASAP.

    The intern will read and recommend submissions, answer the telephone, draft emails and help in various ways around the office, including filing and restocking office supplies. Because it is a small office the intern will have an opportunity to see close up how a literary agency works and become familiar with the book publishing industry.

    Qualifications:

    Looking for someone with computer skills and some office experience to work 4-5 hours per week. (The days are flexible.) I would hope that the intern was fairly well-read and interested in books.

    How to apply:

    Please submit a short cover letter and your resume to:
    Regina Ryan
    reginaryanbooks at rcn dot com


    Oct 15

    Jobs: Disney English Foreign Trainer and Very Young Learner Trainer (China)

    Disney English uses child-friendly teaching methods to inspire children to become passionate English learners. The Disney English curriculum has been developed under the guidance of an advisory board of world-class academics, including internationally recognized English language learning specialists and early childhood development experts as well as artists, musicians, and Grammy Award-nominated songwriters.

    Position Overview Read More


    Oct 14

    Snorlax87: Pumpkin’ Around

    Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.

    Because midterms are next week, my JTE and I are taking it easy. I decided this week I would only give minor Conversation assignments and discuss Halloween. The students are FASCINATED by Halloween. In the first lesson, I reviewed Halloween’s origins and covered the traditions in America. The real fun started today when I did my second Halloween lesson…

    CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.


    Oct 14

    Kaiju Big Battel to rumble at NY’s Royal Flush Festival

    Kaiju Big Battel at Brooklyn’s Warsaw Oct. 15. (Studio Kaiju LLC)

    By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.

    There’s pro wrestling, and then there’s Japanese monster wrestling.

    Kaiju Big Battel brings its unique brand of intergalactic smackdown to Warsaw Friday, Oct. 15 as part of Royal Flush magazine’s annual art, film and rock & roll festival, culminating in their Book 7 release party at Brooklyn’s premiere music venue.

    Prepare for sheer drama in the ring and gut busting laughs when the heroic fighters of Kaiju take on the evil monsters of Dr. Cube’s posse in Kaiju Big Battel Presents: Save the Kaiju! This telethon style “fundraiser”—their only New York performance of 2010—promises to demolish at least one city and wipe out some extraterrestrial trash on the side, all for a good cause.

    Such epic entertainment fits the Royal Flush Festival perfectly. Running through Oct. 18, showcases included a signing from fellow horror and monster movie auteur Rob Zombie at New York’s Forbidden Planet and a diverse lineup of films and concerts at Highline Ballroom and Knitting Factory.

    Read the rest of the article here.


    Oct 13

    Job: Regional Education USA Advising Coordinator (REAC)

    Job posting via Jet alum Gina Anderson. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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    Job Position: Regional Education USA Advising Coordinator (REAC)

    The position announcement for REAC Northeast Asia & Pacific has been posted to the IIE website.
    Please pass this announcement along and encourage interested individuals to apply online at http://www.iie.org/en/Careers.

    About REAC Northeast Asia & Pacific:

    The Regional EducationUSA Advising Coordinator (REAC) fosters student mobility between the United States and the region working with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to oversee and support a network of advising centers. REACs act as a resource on educational systems and exchanges; provide assessment, direction, training and quality control of EducationUSA advising centers; and develop and promote the EducationUSA network.

    The REAC for Northeast Asia and Pacific supports centers located in Japan, Korea, Australia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.

    To review the complete position announcement, please visit http://www.iie.org/en/Careers.


    Oct 13

    Jobs: Positions available at WSJ

    Job posting via WSJ. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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    Job Positions: There are 6 positions available.

    (1) Summer intern (Nov. 1, 2010 application deadline)
    (2) Deputy bureau chief, money/policy
    (3) Finance reporter
    (4) Japanese-language blogger
    (5) Senior policy correspondent
    (6) Economy/economic policy reporter

    Click ‘Read More’ for details about each position and how to apply.

    Read More


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